Compositions of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and pentafluoropropane

ABSTRACT

Compositions of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane or 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to compositions that include pentafluoropropane and 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-tetrafluoroethane. These compositions are useful as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents, and displacement drying agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluorinated hydrocarbons have many uses, one of which is as a refrigerant. Such refrigerants include dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12).

In recent years it has been pointed out that certain kinds of fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants released into the atmosphere may adversely affect the stratospheric ozone layer. Although this proposition has not yet been completely established, there is a movement toward the control of the use and the production of certain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) under an international agreement.

Accordingly, there is a demand for the development of refrigerants that have a lower ozone depletion potential than existing refrigerants while still achieving an acceptable performance in refrigeration applications. Compositions which include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been suggested as replacements for CFCs since HFCs have no chlorine and therefore have zero ozone depletion potential.

In refrigeration applications, a refrigerant is often lost during operation through leaks in shaft seals, hose connections, soldered joints and broken lines. In addition, the refrigerant may be released to the atmosphere during maintenance procedures on refrigeration equipment. If the refrigerant is not a pure component or an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition, the refrigerant composition may change when leaked or discharged to the atmosphere from the refrigeration equipment, which may cause the refrigerant to become flammable or to have poor refrigeration performance.

Accordingly, it is desirable to use as a refrigerant a single fluorinated hydrocarbon or an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition that includes one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons.

Fluorinated hydrocarbons may also be used as a cleaning agent or solvent to clean, for example, electronic circuit boards. It is desirable that the cleaning agents be azeotropic or azeotrope-like because in vapor degreasing operations the cleaning agent is generally redistilled and reused for final rinse cleaning.

Azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions that include a fluorinated hydrocarbon are also useful as blowing agents in the manufacture of closed-cell polyurethane, phenolic and thermoplastic foams, as propellants in aerosols, as heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids such as for heat pumps, inert media for polymerization reactions, fluids for removing particulates from metal surfaces, as carrier fluids that may be used, for example, to place a fine film of lubricant on metal parts, as buffing abrasive agents to remove buffing abrasive compounds from polished surfaces such as metal, as displacement drying agents for removing water, such as from jewelry or metal parts, as resist developers in conventional circuit manufacturing techniques including chlorine-type developing agents, or as strippers for photoresists when used with, for example, a chlorohydrocarbon such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane or trichloroethylene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of compositions of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) and pentafluoropropane, and more particularly, a composition of HCFC-123 and 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245ca), 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245ea) or 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245eb). These compositions are useful as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents, and displacement drying agents. Further, the invention relates to the discovery of binary azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions comprising effective amounts of HCFC-123 and HFC-245ca, HFC-245ea or HFC-245eb to form an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to compositions of HCFC-123 and HFC-245ca, HFC-245ea or HFC-245eb. The present invention also relates to the discovery of azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions of effective amounts of compositions of HCFC-123 and pentafluoropropane, and more particularly, compositions of HCFC-123 and HFC-245ca, HFC-245ea or HFC-245eb to form an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition.

By "azeotropic" composition is meant a constant boiling liquid admixture of two or more substances that behaves as a single substance. One way to characterize an azeotropic composition is that the vapor produced by partial evaporation or distillation of the liquid has the same composition as the liquid from which it was evaporated or distilled, that is, the admixture distills/refluxes without compositional change. Constant boiling compositions are characterized as azeotropic because they exhibit either a maximum or minimum boiling point, as compared with that of the non-azeotropic mixtures of the same components.

By "azeotrope-like" composition is meant a constant boiling, or substantially constant boiling, liquid admixture of two or more substances that behaves as a single substance. One way to characterize an azeotrope-like composition is that the vapor produced by partial evaporation or distillation of the liquid has substantially the same composition as the liquid from which it was evaporated or distilled, that is, the admixture distills/refluxes without substantial composition change.

It is recognized in the art that a composition is azeotrope-like if, after 50 weight percent of the composition is removed such as by evaporation or boiling off, the difference in vapor pressure between the original composition and the composition remaining after 50 weight percent of the original composition has been removed is less than 10 percent, when measured in absolute units. By absolute units, it is meant measurements of pressure and, for example, psia, atmospheres, bars, torr, dynes per square centimeter, millimeters of mercury, inches of water and other equivalent terms well known in the art. If an azeotrope is present, there is no difference in vapor pressure between the original composition and the composition remaining after 50 weight percent of the original composition has been removed.

Therefore, included in this invention are compositions of effective amounts of HCFC-123 and HFC-245ca, HFC-245ea or HFC-245eb such that after 50 weight percent of an original composition is evaporated or boiled off to produce a remaining composition, the difference in the vapor pressure between the original composition and the remaining composition is 10 percent or less.

The components of the compositions of this invention have the following vapor pressures at 25° C.

    ______________________________________                                         COMPONENTS        PSIA    KPA                                                  ______________________________________                                         HCFC-123          13.2     91                                                  HFC-245ca         14.6    101                                                  HFC-245ea         14.2     98                                                  HFC-245eb         16.3    112                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Substantially constant boiling, azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions of this invention comprise the following (all compositions are measured at 25° C.):

    ______________________________________                                                          WEIGHT RANGES                                                 COMPONENTS       (wt. %/wt/ %)                                                 ______________________________________                                         HCFC-123/HFC-245ca                                                                              1-99/1-99                                                     HCFC-123/HFC-245ea                                                                              1-99/1-99                                                     HCFC-123/HFC-245eb                                                                              1-99/1-99                                                     ______________________________________                                    

For purposes of this invention, "effective amount" is defined as the amount of each component of the inventive compositions which, when combined, results in the formation of an azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition. This definition includes the amounts of each component, which amounts may vary depending on the pressure applied to the composition so long as the azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions continue to exist at the different pressures, but with possible different boiling points.

Therefore, effective amount includes the amounts, such as may be expressed in weight percentages, of each component of the compositions of the instant invention which form azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions at temperatures or pressures other than as described herein.

For the purposes of this discussion, azeotropic or constant-boiling is intended to mean also essentially azeotropic or essentially-constant boiling. In other words, included within the meaning of these terms are not only the true azeotropes described above, but also other compositions containing the same components in different proportions, which are true azeotropes at other temperatures and pressures, as well as those equivalent compositions which are part of the same azeotropic system and are azeotrope-like in their properties. As is well recognized in this art, there is a range of compositions which contain the same components as the azeotrope, which will not only exhibit essentially equivalent properties for refrigeration and other applications, but which will also exhibit essentially equivalent properties to the true azeotropic composition in terms of constant boiling characteristics or tendency not to segregate or fractionate on boiling.

It is possible to characterize, in effect, a constant boiling admixture which may appear under many guises, depending upon the conditions chosen, by any of several criteria:

The composition can be defined as an azeotrope of A, B, C (and D . . . ) since the very term "azeotrope" is at once both definitive and limitative, and requires that effective amounts of A, B, C (and D . . . ) for this unique composition of matter which is a constant boiling composition.

It is well known by those skilled in the art, that, at different pressures, the composition of a given azeotrope will vary at least to some degree, and changes in pressure will also change, at least to some degree, the boiling point temperature. Thus, an azeotrope of A, B, C (and D . . . ) represents a unique type of relationship but with a variable composition which depends on temperature and/or pressure. Therefore, compositional ranges, rather than fixed compositions, are often used to define azeotropes.

The composition can be defined as a particular weight percent relationship or mole percent relationship of A, B, C (and D . . . ), while recognizing that such specific values point out only one particular relationship and that in actuality, a series of such relationships, represented by A, B, C (and D . . . ) actually exist for a given azeotrope, varied by the influence of pressure.

An azeotrope of A, B, C (and D . . . ) can be characterized by defining the compositions as an azeotrope characterized by a boiling point at a given pressure, thus giving identifying characteristics without unduly limiting the scope of the invention by a specific numerical composition, which is limited by and is only as accurate as the analytical equipment available.

The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions of the present invention can be prepared by any convenient method including mixing or combining the desired amounts. A preferred method is to weigh the desired component amounts and thereafter combine them in an appropriate container.

Specific examples illustrating the invention are given below. Unless otherwise stated therein, all percentages are by weight. It is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative and in no way are to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Phase Study

A phase study shows the following compositions are azeotropic. The temperature is 25° C.

    ______________________________________                                                                Vapor Press.                                            Composition    Weight Percents                                                                              psia    kPa                                       ______________________________________                                         HCFC-123/HFC-245ca                                                                            44.9/55.1     15.8    109                                       HCFC-123/HFC-245ea                                                                            64.8/35.2     14.4     99                                       HCFC-123/HFC-245eb                                                                            81.6/18.4     13.1     90                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2 Impact of Vapor Leakage on Vapor Pressure at 25° C.

A vessel is charged with an initial liquid composition at 25° C. The liquid, and the vapor above the liquid, are allowed to come to equilibrium, and the vapor pressure in the vessel is measured. Vapor is allowed to leak from the vessel, while the temperature is held constant at 25° C., until 50 weight percent of the initial charge is removed, at which time the vapor pressure of the composition remaining in the vessel is measured. The results are summarized below.

    ______________________________________                                                       0 wt %     50 wt %   % change                                    Refrigerant   evaporated evaporated                                                                               in vapor                                    Composition   psia   kPa     psia kPa  pressure                                ______________________________________                                         HCFC-123/HFC-245ca                                                             44.9/55.1     15.8   109     15.8 109  0.0                                     99/1          13.4    92     13.3  92  0.5                                     85/15         14.7   101     14.4  99  2.2                                     70/30         15.4   106     15.3 105  1.0                                     35/65         15.7   109     15.7 108  0.1                                     10/90         15.1   104     15.0 104  0.5                                      1/99         14.7   101     14.7 101  0.1                                     HCFC-123/HFC-245ea                                                             64.8/35.2     14.4    99     14.4  99  0.0                                     99/1          13.4    92     13.3  92  0.7                                     70/30         14.4    99     14.4  99  0.0                                     50/50         14.4    99     14.4  99  0.0                                     30/70         14.3    98     14.3  98  0.0                                     10/90         14.2    98     14.2  98  0.0                                      1/99         14.2    98     14.2  98  0.0                                     HCFC-123/HFC-245eb                                                             81.6/18.4     13.1    90     13.1  90  0.0                                     99/1          13.2    91     13.2  91  0.0                                     65/35         13.2     91    13.2  91  0.2                                     40/60         14.0    97     13.8  95  1.4                                     20/80         15.1   104     14.8 102  2.0                                      1/99         16.2   112     16.2 112  0.1                                     ______________________________________                                    

The results of this Example show that these compositions are azeotropic or azeotrope-like because when 50 wt. % of an original composition is removed, the vapor pressure of the remaining composition is within about 10% of the vapor pressure of the original composition, at a temperature of 25° C.

EXAMPLE 3 Refrigerant Performance

The following table shows the performance of various refrigerants in an ideal vapor compression cycle. The data are based on the following conditions.

    ______________________________________                                         Evaporator temperature                                                                               40° F. (4.4° C.)                           Condenser temperature 100° F. (37.8° C.)                         Compressor efficiency is 75%.                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The refrigeration capacity is based on a compressor with a fixed displacement of 3.5 cubic feet per minute and 75% volumetric efficiency. Capacity is intended to mean the change in enthalpy of the refrigerant in the evaporator per pound of refrigerant circulated, i.e. the heat removed by the refrigerant in the evaporator per time. Coefficient of performance (COP) is intended to mean the ratio of the capacity to compressor work. It is a measure of refrigerant energy efficiency.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Refrig.      Evap. Press.                                                                           Cond. Press.                                                                           Comp. Dis.     Capacity BTU/min                   Comp.        Psia                                                                               kPa Psia                                                                               kPa Temp. °F.                                                                      °C.                                                                         COP kw                                 __________________________________________________________________________     CFC-11       6.9 48  23  162 133    56  5.63                                                                               44   0.8                           HCFC-123/HFC-245ca                                                              5/95        6.2 43  24  164 110    43  5.40                                                                               40   0.7                           55.1/44.9    6.8 47  24  169 114    45  5.46                                                                               43   0.8                           95/5         5.9 40  22  150 121    50  5.50                                                                               38   0.7                           HCFC-123/HFC-245ea                                                              5/95        6.1 42  22  154 107    42  5.44                                                                               38   0.7                           64.8/35.2    6.3 44  23  157 115    46  5.50                                                                               40   0.7                           95/5         5.8 40  21  147 121    49  5.53                                                                               38   0.7                           HCFC-123/HFC-245eb                                                              5/95        7.5 51  26  179 110    43  5.44                                                                               45   0.8                           81.6/18.4    6.1 42  22  153 119    49  5.49                                                                               39   0.7                           95/5         5.8 40  21  147 121    49  5.54                                                                               38   0.7                           __________________________________________________________________________

The novel compositions of this invention, including the azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions, may be used to produce refrigeration by condensing the compositions and thereafter evaporating the condensate in the vicinity of a body to be cooled. The novel compositions may also be used to produce heat by condensing the refrigerant in the vicinity of the body to be heated and thereafter evaporating the refrigerant.

In addition to refrigeration applications, the novel constant boiling or substantially constant boiling compositions of the invention are also useful as aerosol propellants, heat transfer :media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes and power cycle working fluids.

ADDITIONAL COMPOUNDS

Other components, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons having a boiling point of -60° to +30° C., hydrofluorocarbonalkanes having a boiling point of -60° to +30° C., hydrofluoropropanes having a boiling point of between -60° to +30° C., hydrocarbon esters having a boiling point between -60° to +30° C., hydrochlorofluorocarbons having a boiling point between -60° to +30° C., hydrofluorocarbons having a boiling point of -60° to +30° C., hydrochlorocarbons having a boiling point between -60° to +30° C., chlorocarbons and perfluorinated compounds, can be added to the azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions described above.

Additives such as lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers, dyes and other appropriate materials may be added to the novel compositions of the invention for a variety of purposes provides they do not have an adverse influence on the composition for its intended application. Preferred lubricants include esters having a molecular weight greater than 250. 

We claim:
 1. An azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of 1-85 weight percent 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and 15-99 weight percent 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane; 30-70 weight percent 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and 30-70 weight percent 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane; or 81.6 weight percent 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and 18.4 weight percent 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane, said composition having a vapor pressure of about 13 psia to 16 psia when the temperature is adjusted to about 25° C., wherein when 50 weight percent of the composition is removed by evaporation, the vapor pressure of the remaining composition is within about 10 percent of the vapor pressure of the original composition at a temperature of 25° C.
 2. A process for producing refrigeration, comprising condensing a composition of claim 1 and thereafter evaporating said composition in the vicinity of the body to be cooled.
 3. A process for producing heat comprising evaporating a composition of claim 1, and thereafter condensing said composition in the vicinity of a body to be heated. 